Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change

Living Beautifully feels like a warm cup of tea on a hard day. It doesn’t hand you a quick fix, it gently helps you find your footing when life feels uncertain. Pema Chödrön writes with so much compassion and clarity, it is like having a wise, kind friend nearby reminding you to breathe and stay open. And bonus? The book not only feels good to read, it looks beautiful, too. It’s the kind of thoughtful, calming presence that makes a lovely (and meaningful) addition to your coffee table. It’s also a short, easy read, something you can pick up for a few pages at a time and still take something valuable away.

Pema Chödrön introduces this section by describing the first of the Three Commitments, traditionally called the Pratimoksha Vow, the foundation for personal liberation. “This is a commitment to doing our best to not cause harm with our actions or words or thoughts, a commitment to being good to each other. It provides a structure within which we learn to work with our thoughts and emotions, and to refrain from speaking or acting out of confusion.” She edifies the reader to understand the purpose of the precepts as a means to get at something deeper, known as outer renunciation. She elaborates by describing fixed identity or “ego clinging” as the cause of our suffering, providing practices to cultivate mindfulness, paying attention to all details of your life. “The first commitment is a vow to know your triggers, a vow that whatever it takes, you’ll compassionately acknowledge when you’re hooked by the eight worldly concerns-or indeed, hooked by anything.” She completes the first section by emphasizing that awakening is not a process of building ourselves up, rather it’s a process of letting go. Part Two: The Second Commitment: Committing to Take Care of One Another In the next section, the author lays out the second commitment traditionally known as the Bodhisattva Vow; a commitment dedicating our lives to keeping our hearts and minds open and to nurturing our compassion with the longing to ease the suffering of the world. Ani Pema describes the second commitment as stepping further into groundlessness as a source of awakening rather than a source of dread, as a path to fearlessness rather than a threat to survival. In this section She introduces the reader to Tonglen meditation, teaching the four stages as a core practice for cultivating courage and compassion, thus accessing our interconnectedness with all beings. Part Three: The Third Commitment: Committing to Embrace the World Just as It Is In part three, Pema Chödrön presents what is traditionally known as the Samaya Vow, the commitment to not reject anything, surrendering to life as it is. The author states the following, “Simply put, the practice at this stage is to turn toward your experience, all of it, and never turn away.” The Samaya Vow, engaging with the simplicity of life just as it comes, is taken after the cultivation of the first two commitments; much of which involves minimizing our tendency to pin labels and preconceptions, views and opinions, on everything we perceive. Part Four: Concluding Words At the conclusion of the book, Pema Chödrön leaves the reader with the following question: “Are you ready to make a commitment?” In closing, we are encouraged to maintain these commitments, thus embarking on the journey of embracing the positive groundlessness of life for the sake of our loved ones, our enemies, and ourselves.

A very simple, accessible account of a particular Zen Buddhist approach - three commitments that provide a structure for living fully in the present, for being of service and for self-compassion. Provides gentle guidance for those moments when the ego struggles to maintain separateness and hence, suffering. We are invited to be fearless in the face of the groundlessness of life; a challenge for us all, and one not to be overcome withoug practice.

I was reading this book as i went through turbulent times in my life. The key principles of commitment to life to not to cause harm, help others and accept the world as it is is such a core essence of this book. For people who are suffering and not able to let go pain , this book will open you up with a perspective which will help you. I love the examples, stories and teaches to lead life in a simple form.I will highly recommend this book to folks who want to understand life, on a spiritual path and want to face uncertainties and fear.

The framework of "Living Beautifully" is a three-step Buddhist process. However, if you aren't specifically seeking a Buddhist point of view, don't let that deter you from reading this book. There are practical suggestions on how to deal with and accept yourself and others--both what we might label as the "good" and "bad." Pema Chodron shares examples from her own life in which she thought she was behaving in one way and in which others had a different perception. For me, that self-revealing gave me hope and helped me feel connected with her and others. Of course, that is the point: we are all connected. I like her approach because she doesn't pretend that living is easy or that following the three-step process is easy. She doesn't pretend that she or you or I will be able to follow these steps perfectly every minute, every day. She accepts that we live in uncertainty and change. I agree; I surely do. While I cannot control external factors, I can work on how I understand, accept and respond to those factors. I really appreciate this no-nonsense approach. I appreciate that she appreciates the life can be challenging. I have this book on my Kindle with bookmarks and sections highlighted. It will be a reference and refuge for me going forward.

With her straight forward writing style and keen awareness for what it is like to be naturally human, by page two Pima nails the most common difficulty our own humanity brings: We want naturally want stability and surety in a world that is constantly in flux. Luckily Pima doesn't stop at pointing out this inner struggle, but continues on with easy to read and follow steps for becoming more comfortable and and authentically comfortable in a world filled with constant change. "Aha Moments" abound throughout the book. I started highlighting passages I related to and advice I wanted to remember and quickly realized I had more areas highlighted than not. I've read several of Pima's books and find this to be the best collection of the essence of her works and message. Frankly, at times I can get pretty anxious not knowing what's around the corner. This book was the most helpful of any I have read for overcoming my worries and developing a new perspective. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who would like to relax and be more comfortable with change.

I have a number of Pema Chodron books, and this is one of the best. There is something about the simplicity of the message--delivered in few words, but with maximum impact. Some call it a quick read; I disagree. Each sentence is powerful, each chapter to be read and re-read. I have passed this book on to my husband, and we have both read it several times. I have also come back here to buy more copies for friends, family, and co-workers. We all go through difficult and confusing times, and we often resist change as "bad." Pema's reassuring voice lets us know that we are not alone; that we all suffer at one time or another because we try to grasp at permanency, and often wish that things were different from how they currently are. The solution, both simple and difficult, is to live in the present moment, without pre-conceptions, and to let go of our story line about what is "good" or "bad" for us at any given moment. So I read, and re-read, and slowly--the message sinks in. The chapter on compassion is one of the most powerful things I have ever read. I think I have given away 10 copies of this book already.

Great book if you are seeking answers in decreasing your personal pain & suffering & improve a greater awareness & self acceptance. Learning to be okay with okay~ letting go of self destructive/controlling behaviors that ultimately held me back from my true happiness. Effective techniques I use daily to keep myself more in balance… I recently was diagnosed with a medical condition that requires interferon treatments (a 10 year breast cancer survivor, I just dreaded going down that road of being so sick from pharma drugs)… I felt like my emotions were spiraling out of control because….. Being in control was what I was good at…. The news made me anger, retreat and I diffidently went into a dark place of depression, anger etc.. Big time fear! A friend recommended any of Pema's books, I am glad she did. I am in a much better-place (mentally) as I await further medical answers/tests…

I keep this book by my bedside. One of my favourites from Pema Chodron.

Usually I embrace the book I've chosen with little criticism or pause its reading but end up finishing it even if it's after resuming its reading years after. This was not the case for this practical book, which I've read electronically. Its cover is enticing. I think I was able to find in this text things I had discovered in the author's other books I had read either in English or French. Simple breathing exercises, guidelines for meditation which do help me at the start of each work day. Moreover I polish, brush up, keep my English up with this kind of reading. I place at the same level as books by Gabriel Cousens, Eileen Caddy, the Dalai Lama, not to mention Henri Brunel, Angelus Silesius. I know I may be told I am too much into new age reading, nevertheless there are times in my life when I do not read but act, when I do not speak but am quiet.

Mi primer libro se la autora y me encanto! Muy buen libro!

Oh wow.... It's very nice... Lemme quote my fav. Sentence from this book : Emotions stay on and on when we fuel them with words...

Whenever I started with this book I thought . Will I understand this as for instance meditation is a complete new field for me. Nevertheless the more I read the more clarity, trust and deepness was there. I can advice this book because it gives you a really good start in this area. Thanks a lot for this wonderful book which gives me a lot of Impulse to continue in this field and showing the inner light.🙏🏻🌄 Kind Regards Franz